It is natural for some people who see a young wild animal apparently abandoned by its mother to want to rescue it. The correct course of action is to leave it alone. Here are some rules of thumb from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission regarding wildlife babies: A lone fawn, or other young bird or mammal, may appear to be abandoned or injured, but the mother frequently is off feeding or drinking. Do not move it. The longer the …

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is looking to provide additional hunting and fishing opportunities on private lands through its Open Fields and Waters Program. Landowners willing to allow public, walk-in access for hunting or fishing can receive annual, per-acre payments through the program. Participating landowners are afforded liability protection through the Nebraska Recreational Liability Act. Additional financial incentives often are available for habitat improvements, such as Conservation Reserve Program enrollment or management upgrades. Game and Parks primarily is seeking …

Cornhusker Cup champion Mason Gerdes had a strategy for shooting in the blustery winds of the 52nd Cornhusker Trap Shoot on Saturday in Doniphan, Nebraska. “Shoot ’em fast, shoot ’em quick right out of the trap,” the Raymond Central 11th grader said. “Just don’t let it bother you and focus on the next one.” On a day that saw shooters battle wind gusts of more than 40 mph at the home grounds of the Nebraska Trapshooting Association, Gerdes excelled. He …

Mitchell Pierson of Lincoln Southeast survived an eight-person shoot-off Friday to win the individual title in the 16-yard competition at the 52nd Cornhusker Trap Shoot at Doniphan, Nebraska. Pierson and seven others each broke all 75 targets earlier, then, in the shoot-off, the champion failed to miss. Scotlyn Kincaid of Papillion-La Vista won the ladies’ title after a three-person shoot-off after shooting a 73 earlier. The high school team crown went to Papillion-La Vista, which broke 358 of 375 targets. …

Wyatt Happle of Beatrice was perfect Thursday, breaking all 100 targets during the junior high competition of the 52nd Cornhusker Trap Shoot in Doniphan, Nebraska. It was no runaway victory for Happle shooting targets at 16 yards at the Nebraska Trapshooting Association home grounds. It was a day of high scores. Harry Morgan of Kiewit Middle School in Omaha shot a 99. Kahne Packer of 5 Clovers 4-H of Wilber, who finished runner-up last year, took third place with a …

More than 2,400 students in grades 6-12 are expected to compete in the 52nd Annual Cornhusker Trap Shoot April 28-30 on the home grounds of the Nebraska Trapshooting Association in Doniphan, Nebraska. Joining Nebraskans will be shooters from Iowa, Colorado, Kansas and South Dakota. More than 900 junior high and more than 1,500 senior high students are expected to compete. “It should be another great year of competition at the shoot,” Shoot Director Eric Javins said. “Nebraska’s young shooters always …

The peregrine falcon that died in a nest box on the WoodmenLife Tower in downtown Omaha tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The adult female falcon, named Chayton, died April 18 after being observed, via WoodmenLife’s webcam, behaving oddly. The online webcam provides a live public view of the nest box. The falcon was retrieved by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and HPAI testing was performed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Veterinary Diagnostic Center. HPAI is a highly …

May is Bird Month in Nebraska. What better place is there to celebrate than in a state park area? The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has several bird-related events in May for people to explore, as well as many other opportunities. Here are several: Platte River Art Show set for April 29-May 1 View paintings, sculpture, photography, pottery and more from reputable Midwestern artists at the Platte River Art Show on April 29-May 1 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. …

Safari Club International, Platte River Chapter, recently donated $1,000 to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for the Hunters Helping the Hungry  program. Hunters Helping the Hungry is a program that allows hunters to donate whole field-dressed deer at participating processors to be distributed by charitable organizations and food pantries statewide. Processing is paid for solely by donations. During the SCI’s first convention and banquet Jan. 28-29 in Kearney, the board decided to donate to the HHH program. “It’s about …

Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area invites boaters to sign up for its Fourth Annual Lighted Boat Parade, set for June 18. The parade, which has a tropical paradise theme, is held in conjunction with the SRA’s Fifth Annual National Marina Day. The top prize for this parade will be a two-night cabin stay at either Ponca State Park, Niobrara State Park or Lewis and Clark SRA, $200 in Nebraska Game and Parks Bucks, and a canvas print of their …